If you grew up in the 90s, you probably have a core memory of a bunch of kids in a bathtub-shaped go-kart screaming about "He-Man Womun Haters." It was chaotic. It was hilarious. And right at the end of the movie, arguably the biggest country music star on the planet showed up to flip the entire plot on its head. Honestly, Reba McEntire in The Little Rascals is one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" moments that somehow became iconic.
She wasn't just a background extra. She played A.J. Ferguson, the legendary race car driver Spanky McFarland worshipped.
The twist? Spanky spent the whole movie thinking A.J. was a "he." Seeing the look on his face when Reba pulled off that helmet was worth the price of admission alone.
The Role of A.J. Ferguson: More Than Just a Trophy
Most people remember the 1994 The Little Rascals for the kids. Bug Hall’s Alfalfa hair was a structural marvel. But the adults in the film were a fever dream of 90s pop culture. We had Whoopi Goldberg, Mel Brooks, and even a very pre-presidency Donald Trump. Yet, Reba McEntire stood out because her character actually represented the movie's big lesson.
The boys in the "He-Man Womun Haters Club" spent an hour and twenty minutes being, well, little jerks to girls. They thought girls were "icky" and definitely couldn't drive.
Then comes the soap box derby.
After a photo finish where Alfalfa wins "by a hair" (literally, his cowlick crossed the line first), the guest of honor arrives to hand out the trophy. It’s A.J. Ferguson. Spanky is losing his mind with excitement. He thinks he’s meeting his hero—a man’s man.
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Reba pulls off the helmet, red hair spills out, and she delivers the line: "Is that a cowlick, or are you just glad to see me?"
It’s a classic Reba moment.
She’s charming, slightly sassy, and she completely shatters the kids' worldview in about thirty seconds. If the "best driver there is" is a woman, then maybe girls aren't so bad after all. That’s why she invites Darla and the other girls into the winner’s circle. She basically dismantled the patriarchy of a seven-year-old’s backyard club with one smile.
Why Penelope Spheeris Cast a Country Queen
You might wonder why the director of Wayne’s World, Penelope Spheeris, reached out to a country singer for a kids' movie. In 1994, Reba was at the absolute peak of her powers. She had just released Read My Mind, her autobiography was a bestseller, and she was already dipping her toes into acting with projects like Tremors and North.
She had this "America’s Sweetheart" vibe but with a gritty, "don't mess with me" edge.
That was perfect for A.J. Ferguson.
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Spheeris wanted the cameos to feel like a "Who’s Who" of the era. Putting Reba in a racing suit made her feel like a real-life superhero to those kids. It wasn't just stunt casting; it was about finding someone who could command respect the second they appeared on screen.
A Career Pivot in the Making
Looking back, this cameo was a huge hint at what was to come. Before she was the "Queen of Country" or the star of her own sitcom, Reba, she was proving she had comedic timing.
- The Look: She looked natural in the pit crew environment.
- The Delivery: Her lines didn't feel scripted; they felt like Reba just being Reba.
- The Impact: She bridged the gap between the "Our Gang" nostalgia and the modern 90s audience.
The Legacy of the 1994 Cameos
There is a weirdly high concentration of stars in this movie. If you rewatch it now, it’s a total trip. You’ve got the Olsen twins as flower girls at a sleepover. You’ve got Lea Thompson as the ballet teacher. But Reba’s scene is the one that sticks because it’s the climax of the film's emotional arc.
Spanky’s realization that his hero is a woman is the "aha!" moment for the audience.
It’s also worth noting that Reba’s appearance helped the movie appeal to parents. While the kids were laughing at Froggy’s voice, the parents were nudging each other saying, "Hey, isn't that the lady who sings 'Fancy'?" It was a smart move for Universal Pictures. The movie went on to be a moderate success, but its life on VHS and cable turned it into a cult classic for Millennials.
Real-World Influence of the "A.J. Ferguson" Archetype
Interestingly, the character of A.J. Ferguson tapped into a real-world shift. In the early 90s, women were starting to break more ground in male-dominated sports. While Danica Patrick wouldn't hit the scene for another decade, the idea of a female racing icon was becoming part of the cultural conversation.
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Reba played it with such confidence that you actually believed she could outdrive anyone on that track.
She didn't play it as a "girl driver." She played it as a driver who happened to be a girl. That distinction matters. It’s why the kids in the movie didn't feel mocked; they felt impressed.
How to Appreciate the Cameo Today
If you’re planning a rewatch or introducing The Little Rascals to a new generation, keep an eye on the final race sequence.
- Watch the Helmet Reveal: Notice how the camera lingers. It’s a classic Western-style reveal.
- Listen for the Accent: Reba doesn't hide her Oklahoma roots, which adds to the "tough racer" persona.
- Check the Kids' Reactions: The shock on the boys' faces wasn't just good acting—they were genuinely filming with a massive superstar.
The Bottom Line
Reba McEntire in The Little Rascals remains a masterclass in how to do a cameo right. It wasn't long, it wasn't complicated, but it was perfectly timed. She provided the "moral of the story" without being preachy.
Next time you see a cowlick, you know exactly what line to quote.
To dive deeper into this era of 90s cinema, check out the behind-the-scenes features on the 25th-anniversary Blu-ray or look up Penelope Spheeris's interviews about the casting process. You can also find the full soundtrack, which features more of that 90s nostalgia that made the film a hit. Most importantly, give the movie a rewatch—it holds up surprisingly well, mostly thanks to the heart (and the stars) behind it.